Entries in SVU
(2)

Meloni, who has played Detective Elliot Stabler on the NBC police drama since it began in 1999, reportedly was unable to come to terms on a new agreement for the show's upcoming 13th season. Meloni's rep confirmed the news to E! Online, saying "It is true -- 12 great years and time for the next chapter."

Meloni's SVU co-star Ice T, who plays Det. Fin Tutuola, tweeted, "Honestly.. The news about Chris today was a BOMB to me too! Sad. But you never know what to expect in this TV bizz.... Stay tuned."

Co-star Mariska Hargitay will be returning for the show's 13th season, although her new contract cuts back on her on-screen time, at her request. Her absence will be explained by her character receiving a promotion.﻿

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic(NEW YORK) -- Detective Elliot Stabler will have a new partner midway through the new season of Law & Order: SVU.

According to TVLine.com, producers have granted Mariska Hargitay's request to cut back on her on-set hours for the upcoming 13th season, and Jennifer Love Hewitt is the leading contender to sign onto the squad to replace Hargitay's Det. Olivia Benson, who will reportedly be promoted mid-season, clearing the way for Hewitt's character.

At this point, reports TVLine, nothing's definite. If true, though, it's a sweet deal for Hargitay, whose $385,000 per episode salary remains intact. Meloni reportedly has not yet signed a deal and is rumored to have asked for a raise.

If Hewitt were to join the SVU cast, it wouldn’t be her first time on the set. Last fall, the actress guest-starred as a rape victim in an episode of the show.

Her last series was The Ghost Whisperer, which ended its five-season run on CBS last year.﻿